Golden Boy 2026: Pau Cubarsi named winner (official)

FC Barcelona player Pau Cubarsi has been named the logical winner of the 2026 Golden Boy award after a remarkable season, capped by victory at the 2026 World Cup.

Widely considered the favourite, Pau Cubarsi has duly been named the 2026 Golden Boy. The award recognises the best player under the age of 21 playing in Europe. Won over the past three years by Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal and Désiré Doué—a stellar lineup—it now belongs to the 19-year-old FC Barcelona centre-back.

Pau Cubarsi impresses for Barça and Spain

For Pau Cubarsi, this award is a fitting finale to a 2026 marked by winning the 2026 World Cup with Spain, for whom he was one of the mainstays, and adding another La Liga title to his honours with FC Barcelona. He has become indispensable for both club and country, confirming his remarkable precocity.

For Barça, Pau Cubarsi joins an already long list of players to have won this individual award, including Messi, Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal. He will be able to collect his prize at the official gala scheduled for December 14 in Turin.

Read also: La Liga: José Mourinho outdoes Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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